My Pet World: How to 'train' a young destructive cat to keep paws off
Dear Cathy,
How can we stop two kitties under a year old from getting into the garbage can, tearing up a loaf of bread, opening up energy bars, and just jumping and tearing up everything? They are mostly home alone all day. Please help.
— Julia, Riverhead, New York
Dear Julia,
There are three ways to "train" – and I use that word loosely – a cat. Much like you would babyproof a house for a newborn, you have to kitten-proof your home for these youngsters. This means getting a garbage can that they can’t tip or open on their own. It means putting the bread in the fridge, freezer, cupboard, or breadbox – again, something they can't open. Put the energy bars into a cabinet or pantry.
Bottom line: If it’s not out, they can’t destroy it.
Next, introduce humane deterrents to discourage destructive behaviors. If your kittens like climbing curtains, for example, put cat training tape (available at pet stores or online) across the bottom of the curtains and up to as high as the little ones can jump. Use that tape on couches so they can’t scratch them. These special tapes won't harm your furniture or linens and can easily be removed when your cats have learned their boundaries.
Make sure to have scratching posts available, so they have something to stretch their claws on. Cats also despise certain scents, and there are products on the market that you can spray on your furniture and plants to discourage your felines from messing with them. These are temporary “training” techniques until your cats learn what's off-limits.
Another strategy is to redirect your two kitties with exercise and interactive toys. Play with them three times a day for 10 minutes at a time. You can easily play with both of them at the same by introducing a fishing reel they can chase or a wand toy they can swat and bat about. An automatic laser toy counts as their 10 minutes of playtime. Turn it on and let your rambunctious felines stalk the laser while you do something else.
Like toddlers, they are going through their rambunctious phase and will eventually grow out of some of these behaviors. But it’s always good to train and set boundaries from the start so they learn what is acceptable behavior.
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